Runes originated with the ancient Etruscans and were spread upwards throughout the Alpine regions to Northern Europe via the trade routes. The Germanic tribes took them and adapted them to their own needs and uses. The oldest and most widespread of the Germanic runes are the Elder Futhark or Common Germanic Runes. The word rune, which occurs in various forms in Germanic and Celtic languages, means "a mystery" or "holy secret" that is "whispered".

Runes were traditionally carved into bone, wood or stone which accounts for their angular shape. The lack of curves made it easier to create the shapes in either hard wood or stone.

These 24 Elder Futhark are divided into three groups or aettir. Each group of eight Runes can be linked to the eight directions on the horizon, to the seasonal festivals, and to various cycles of time and stars.

Modern users of the Runes sometimes add a twenty-fifth rune which is completely blank. This is called Wyrd. This Rune has no traditional or historical basis, but many find it very useful in their readings. It symbolizes fate, karma and the inevitable.

Upright or reversed?

Nine of the runes read the same whichever way up they fall. The remainder can fall in a reversed position if the reader prefers to use reversals (and this is by no means necessary). If you chose to use reversed runes, the meaning is subtly changed by the way the rune falls. In general, reversed runes point to negative influences or situations that need to be addressed, or the necessity for caution. Sometimes they simply show that a positive effect of the rune is watered down, diminished or will be delayed in some way. Reversed runes often point to an aspect of yourself that you nave been unwilling to face but which you are now ready to acknowledge.

Alternatively you can scatter a handful of Runes onto the pattern of a horoscope divided into the 12 houses. The position of each Rune indicates the area of life that is affected.

Please note:
Þ and þ = TH and th
Ð and ð = DH and dh

The Meaning of the Runes

The first name is the Old Germanic form (eg. Fehu), the second is the Old English form (eg. Feoh).

First Aett

Fehu (Feoh) Meaning: Cattle This Rune symbolizes concern with physical and financial needs, prosperity and money, promotion, self-esteem. Rewards for past efforts. TALISMAN: for achieving a goal, starting a new enterprise, money, business, promotion and finding a job. Reversed: What you have achieved may slip through your fingers.

Ūruz (Ūr) Meaning: Wild Ox This Rune symbolizes sexuality, fertility, the unconscious, passion, vitality, instinct and wildness. TALISMAN: to increase sexual potency and energy, hunting, strengthen the will. Reversed: Lost opportunities or you are too easily led.

Þurisaz (Þorn). Variant: Thurisaz Meaning: Giant This Rune symbolizes hardship, a painful occurrence, discipline, knowledge, introspection,deep thought. TALISMAN: aid for discipline, study, meditation, resolving a bad situation. Reversed: Warns that careful consideration avoids wrong decisions or inappropriate action.

Ansuz (Ōs) Meaning: Ash Tree or Divine Breath This Rune symbolizes justice, a shaman, authority figure, leader, clairvoyance. TALISMAN: help in divination and magic, wise decisions, success and leadership. Reversed: Problems with authority figures, lies or deceptions.

Raiðō (Rād). Variant: Raidhō Meaning: Wheel This Rune symbolizes a journey, quest, progress, life lessons, change and destiny. TALISMAN: protection for travellers, brings about change, ease into a situation and reconnect. Reversed: Signals caution and reassurance in personal relationships. Travel delays.

Kēnaz (Cēn) Meaning: Flaming Brand of Pine Tree This Rune symbolizes creativity, inspiration, wisdom, insight and the solution to a problem. TALISMAN: aid in study, creativity and inspiration, fertility and dispelling anxiety and fear. Reversed: Freely give up something that has to pass away.

Gebō (Gyfu) Meaning: Gift This Rune symbolizes a gift, generosity, unexpected good fortune, relationship, love and partnership. TALISMAN: to find or strengthen a relationship, to bring luck and fertility. No reversed meaning

Wunjō (Wyn) Meaning: Joy This Rune symbolizes recognition, success, reward, joy, bliss, contentment, achievement of goals. TALISMAN: for the completion of a task, success in an endeavour, motivation. Reversed: Delays.

Second Aett

Hagalaz (Hægl) Meaning: Hailstone This Rune symbolizes disaster and destruction, a sudden loss, ordeal, clearance, a testing time, a karmic lesson, a drastic change. TALISMAN: for removing unwanted influences and breaking repeated destructive patterns. No reversed meaning meaning

Nauþiz (Nyd). Variant: Nauthiz Meaning: Need This Rune symbolizes discontentment, obstacles, poverty, hardship, responsibility, impasse and frustration. TALISMAN: to fulfil a need, to turn a negative fate around. Reversed: Revaluation of something disowned, self-control is essential.

Īsa (Īs) Meaning: Ice This Rune symbolizes withdrawal, rest, inactivity, blockage, stagnation, potential, patience and reflection. TALISMAN: to stop a process, to give oneself breathing space. No reversed meaning

Jēra (Gēr) Meaning: Year/Season This Rune symbolizes change, the yearly cycle, reward, motion, productivity, inevitable development. TALISMAN: to bring about change, for fertility and growth. No reversed meaning

Eihwaz (Ēoh). Variant: Ihwaz Meaning: Yew Tree This Rune symbolizes change, initiation, confrontation of one's fears, turning point, death, transformation. TALISMAN: to bring about a profound change, to ease a life transition or extreme difficulty. No reversed meaning

Perþ (Peorð). Variants: Perth, Perthro Meaning: Dice Cup This Rune symbolizes change, rebirth, mystery, magic, divination, fertility, sexuality, new beginnings and prophecy. TALISMAN: to aid divination and magic, fertility, easing childbirth, enhancing psychic powers. Reversed: Reveals guilty secrets.

Elhaz (Eolh-Secg) or Algiz Meaning: Elk (Sedge Plant) or Protection This Rune symbolizes protection, assistance, defence, warning, support, a mentor and an ethical dilemma. TALISMAN: for protection, hunting and to build a defence. Reversed: Vulnerability, watch health and examine advice carefully.

Sōwulō (Sigel). Variant: Sōwilō Meaning: Sun This Rune symbolizes success, positive energy, increase, power, activity, fertility and health. TALISMAN: for extra energy, strength, success, healing, optimism, drive, enthusiasm, fertility. No reversed meaning

Third Aett

Teiwaz (Tīr) Meaning: the god Tîwaz/Tîw/Tyr This Rune symbolizes duty, discipline, responsibility, responsibility, self-sacrifice, conflict, strength, a wound, physicality, the warrior path. TALISMAN: to protect in the material sphere, to give victory or strength or to strengthen the will, for healing a wound. Reversed: Danger through ill-timed or hasty action.

Berkana (Beorc) Meaning: Birch Tree This Rune symbolizes healing, fertility, new beginnings, growth, conception, plenty and clearance. TALISMAN: for healing (especially involving infections), for a good harvest, to achieve conception, for making a fresh start. Reversed: Upheavals in the home, selfishness.

Ehwaz (Eh) Meaning: Horse This Rune symbolizes motion, transportation, a call for divine aid, energy, power, communication, will, recklessness. TALISMAN: for power, communication and transportation, to deliver a spell. Reversed: Timeliness is of the essence, there is an appropriate moment for everything.

Mannaz (Man) Meaning: Man This Rune symbolizes the human race,it can be a significator, self, family, community, relationships and social concerns. TALISMAN: to represent a person or group of people, to establish social relationships. Reversed: Look inside to see the reasons for your feelings of isolation.

Laguz (Lagu) Meaning: Moving Water (salt or fresh) This Rune symbolizes emotions, deep fears, the unconscious mind, things hidden, revelations, intuition and counselling. TALISMAN: for enhanncing psychic abilities, confronting fears, stabilising mental or emotional disorders, uncovering the hidden. Reversed: Warns against over reaching or giving into temptation.

Ingwaz (Ing) Meaning: the god Inguz This Rune symbolizes work, productivity, bounty, community, balance, connection with the land. TALISMAN: for fertility, successful farming, growth, general health and balance. No reversed meaning

Ðagaz (Dæg) Meaning: Day This Rune symbolizes happiness, brightness, success, activity, a fulfilling lifestyle and satisfaction. TALISMAN: to bring a positive outcome to any venture. No reversed meaning

Ōþila (Ēþel). Variants: Ōthila, Ōthala Meaning: Own Land This Rune symbolizes property, land, inheritance, home, the family name, legacy, synthesis, sense of belonging. TALISMAN: for acquiring property, complete a project, bring strength to family ties. Reversed: Radical departure form old ways.

Wyrd (optional rune). Variant: Woden Meaning: The Unknowable This Rune symbolizes fate, karma, the inevitable. Influences are entirely out of your control. TALISMAN: for acquiring trust in yourself and in life itself, acceptance of past, present and future, to open all possibilities. No reversed meaning

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